felon

fel-on · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A person who has been convicted of a felony (a serious crime).

  2. 2.

    (archaic) A wicked or cruel person; a villain.

  3. 3.

    (medicine) A painful infection at the end of a finger or toe.

Forms

plural: felons

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    convicted felon — A person found guilty of a felony
  • •
    ex-felon — A former convicted criminal

Related words

See also: convict, criminal, felony
Synonyms: convict, criminal, lawbreaker, offender

Etymology

From Old French felon ("wicked, treacherous, villain"), possibly from Medieval Latin fello ("villain, traitor"), of uncertain ultimate origin. Some scholars connect it to Frankish or other Germanic sources meaning "one who deceives."